IT is right and proper that the Freedom of the Forest should be awarded to the Rifles, a famous regiment that was supplied with better weapons during the Peninsular War against Napolean. It probably means marching through Coleford, a parade in the car park, an address by the council chairwoman, and a wonderful photo opportunity to improve the image of our brave lads.
Any soldier who signs on into an infantry regiment must know that he will be very lucky not to be in situations where foreigners will be doing their very best to kill him. They are doing their duty ordered by the government duly elected and we must show our appreciation. I only wish it could involve a good feed and some Forest entertainment in the Miner's Welfare in Cinderford or something more informal than planned.
With whom are they fighting? Who are these Taliban? What's the problem?
I met some of them a couple of weeks ago but in unusual circumstances. I was climbing Pendle Hill, a dominating feature of 1831ft overlooking the Lancashire town of Nelson and the local area where my ancestors have lived for centuries. Near the top my right leg suddenly went and I collapsed on the 45 degree steep slope. I could not get up on one leg. I had just been overtaken by five muscular fellows talking in a language I did not understand. One saw me struggling and they all turned back, got me up, and dragged me to the top where I sat down with them.
They were Pathans from the valley of Swat which is between Afghanistan and Pakistan and which is in the news because having defeated the Pakistan army the Taliban there are extending Sharia law. My saviours are now resident in Burnley, second generation immigrants who had attended an English school, and like me supported Burnley F.C. But their beliefs were all Taliban, supporting thieves having their hands amputated and women being totally veiled, and controlled by their husbands.
One said when he called on his brother his wife had to go into a back room or put a veil on "in case he fell in love with her which would be terrible." If that had been tried on my Lancashire grandmother, who could be ferocious, the consequence would have been even more terrible! Their hearts were still in the "emerald valley of Swat." And they hated the Americans with all the contempt of an independent race with a 3,000 year-old military tradition. I asked their leader if he would like to join the British Army. He said "yes, but I could never fight against Muslims."
I tried with help to stand up but collapsed again. They decided to carry me down the steep slopes and this was done in a way that would have impressed the SAS. Snappy orders from the leader, instantly obeyed! One sent down at the double the long way to their car which was then reversed up a very rough track. One to push aside rocks and boulders. Two to hold and carry me down to the car and safety. When I thanked them, one said "It was our duty!" I have invited them all to my place to give them my idea of "Freedom of the Forest!" They were absolutely magnificent.
So why are we at war with the Pathans?
As Ali and his friends know well it is about a pipeline that runs from the gas reserves in the former countries of the U.S.S.R. down through Afghanistan to a warm water port in Pakistan. This would be a major supply of gas to the Americans after most known reserves run out. But the pipeline isn't operational because the Taliban – which is not an army but simply the way people think and behave in that area – have been double-crossed.
The Russians came into the country at the invitation of the Afghan Government and started building girls' schools and health centres. The Americans and the British used the resistance to these reforms which was led by students (the Taliban) from Islamic schools. The U.S. and Britain brought in Bin Laden and thousands of Arab fighters to drive the Russians out. Unfortunately the Taliban, while stamping out most of the opium trade, spread Sharia law and failed to protect the pipeline which has still not been used. So the Americans brought in warlords from the North to drive the Taliban from Kabul which is now an island in a Taliban sea. The Rifles are in the most dangerous area and ironically are in effect protecting the poppy fields that provide virtually all the heroin flooding into this country.
It has all happened before. Back in the Summer of 1838 a huge army of 15,500 fighting troops with no less than 38,000 camp followers invaded Afghanistan. The retired comander of the Rifles complained about sending out his men in vehicles "whose wheels had a habit of falling off." In 1838 they used camels unsuited to the terrain, and some officers insisted on taking up to 40 servants each. The object was to replace Dost Mahammed, the powerful chief of Kabul, a man of great ability but out of favour because of his links with the Russians, with Shah Soojah a man who had lost every battle he had fought.
Kabul was taken, Dost Mahammed surrendered and was sent into exile. The British then built an enormous camp, whose perimeter was too long to defend, sited the stores and armoury outside it, and ignored a hill overlooking the site. The bored officers amused themselves by seducing high born Afghan ladies. This all united the tribes against the British, and, in the winter snows of 1842 a retreat was started to the safety of Jalalabad. On January 13 a lone rider, traumatised and battered, on an injured horse, appeared before its gates.
It was Captain Brydon, an army doctor. He was the only survivor of that British army of 40,000 to get out alive. Dost Mahommed was restored to Kabul! 68 per cent of the people recently polled in this country believed we would be better off out of Iraq and Afghanistan and stop our servile following of the Americans who seem to believe they have a right to direct every country which can supply their needs. They have not convinced the Pathanso of this. Or me. History is repeating itself. – Roger Horsfield, Bream.